Dear Parent and Caregivers,

PARENT TEACHER INTERVEWS

Thank you to those that completed the survey around the parent teacher interviews-muster style in EPAC.  The feedback received was very positive as summarised below.  We will take this feedback on board as we plan the next round of interviews in Term 3.

Question	%
Did you attend the evening?	92% yes
How did you find the booking system?	85.71% easy/very easy
How did you find the evening?	64.29% satisfied/very satisfied
What could be improved?
If you have experienced parent teacher interviews previously, did you find this event more convenient for you?	75% yes

NAPLAN 2021

Another reminder about NAPLAN 2021.  As our school was preparing to go online with NAPLAN testing last year before it was cancelled, we will be conducting the tests online this year.  Unfortunately, the practice tests have had to be postponed this week due to the lockdown but we will go ahead with them in the first week back and continue other familiarisation activities prior to the testing to be conducted between 11-14^th May. The support staff have identified students in Yr 3 and Yr 5 who are eligible and consistently have special considerations offered in the classroom and those parents will be called and a form sent home for your approval for your child to be allowed special consideration during the tests.  As the tests are online the only special considerations currently available are additional time and additional rest breaks.

STAFFING CHANGES

Mrs Kim Turner has decided not to continue her contract on 1A next term for personal reasons, therefore we will have a new teacher starting on this class for the new term.  We are very sad to see Mrs Turner leave but understand that this is the best decision for her at this point and we hope to see her back in the future. 

We understand that any change in teacher during the year is not ideal, so we will ensure that the necessary supports are put in place to support the students in this class with this change to minimise any impact.

Mr Colin Callaghan (Schools Officer) will continue his leave next term with Adam Sheppard and Tane Golffe continuing to replace him.

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES

It was fantastic to see our string ensembles play on our final assembly for the term.  We are so lucky to have such a wonderful facility as EPAC for them to share their talents with the rest of the school.  They did a fantastic job under the direction of Strings Teacher, Mrs Moore and we can’t wait to see how they continue to flourish again next term.  We are very pleased that we have been able to school purchase additional instrumental teaching time this year to help grow the program within our school and we certainly saw the benefits of that this week.  Congratulations to Mrs Moore and the students!

EASTER HOLIDAYS

Whilst the Easter vacation has come a little earlier than planned for our students, we hope that you all get some time with your families over the break to rest and relax.  If able to travel, please stay safe on the roads as we want all of our lovely students back after the break and ready to go again for another busy term at Enoggera SS.

Till next time

Mrs Anne Robinson

Principal

Year 4

This term we have had a strong learning focus on our Reading and Spelling programs, which are proving to be fantastic.  The students are involved three times a week in reading groups and spelling. Their classroom teacher is also teaching the explicit strategies required to be a literate student.  

We have diligently worked on learning to write a chapter using the narrative structure in English along with the grammar and punctuation needed to make our text flow. 

In Mathematics, we are covering a range of topics including number, patterns, chance and data, measurement and space.  It has been interesting to note how much basic number facts impact on most areas of both mathematics and our lives.

We have also worked on our HASS unit, which looks at pre and post first Australian contacts throughout history. 

In Science, we have looked at soil and erosion and we will look at plants and their needs next term. 

We have also worked on PE, health, technology, dance, music and art throughout the semester.  We have looked at and enjoyed drawing self-portraits and at colour and have explored tint, tone and shade.

Overall, so far it has been a productive and positive year, which we are all embracing.  Happy Easter to you all, have a great break  and see you next term.

The Year 4 teachers

Due to unprecedented interest numbers and Covid safety performance rules, we are unable to offer our Year 4 students a place in the 2021 Wakakirri Arts Enrichment Program. We are very keen however to keep providing amazing opportunities for our students in the Arts. Students will be invited to join a Drama Enrichment group Thursday mornings in EPAC at 8am commencing in Term 2. Students will receive an invitation early next term outlining the program.

This week, the Wakakirri Activity and Media Consent Forms will be emailed to the Years 5&6 families who completed the Expression of Interest. Completed forms are to be returned to the class teacher by Wednesday 28^th April. Payment should also be made at this time.

We are so looking forward to meeting as a team and commencing rehearsals for 2021. Thanks for your support.

Worry Warts Incursion

What an outstanding show by Theatre Theatre Productions! Our students were raving about the strong performances of the youth cast. The show was a fabulous example of drama in action. Our students were witness to the scene changes with sets and props transitioning seamlessly in the space. I hear too that students have been borrowing Gleitzman’s book from the library, fabulous! Next semester, we will certainly reference this experience in drama. Well done.

Senior Dance Ensemble

Rehearsals will resume first week back next term. Our contemporary piece is coming together nicely and the students are fully committed. We can’t wait to finish the choreography and share with our community. Perhaps we can squeeze in an assembly performance prior to the end of year Arts on Stage show? Watch this space.

Melissa Wilcox

wilcoxm@eq.edu.au

Defence School Mentor News:

All students are invited to enter the Koori Kids ‘2021 ANZAC School Initiative’ colouring competition for Prep to Grade 2 or creative art competition for Grades 3-6. Entry details below:

The Gaythorne RSL Sub-Branch Inc. has invited our school to take part in their Anzac Day ceremony on Sunday 25 April. The March will commence at 6.15 a.m. in Sid Loder Park. The ceremony will be held after the March. Please note that the ceremony will be conducted in accordance with the Queensland Government’s COVID Safe event requirements. Students should stay home if they are unwell or have a cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath.

Jody Kellin

jkell551@eq.edu.au

Digital Technologies

Don’t forget about the great sites listed below. The sites are recommended for students in Prep to Year 6 and beyond.

Typing Club (free typing website) https://www.typingclub.com/

Typing Tournament (paid typing site) https://www.typingtournament.com/

Code.org (free coding site with junior to more senior learning)  https://code.org/

Grok Learning (paid coding site, introduction to Python code) https://groklearning.com/launch/

Blockly (free coding game site for kids) https://blockly.games/

A new resource: The Queensland Coding Academy offers online Digital Technologies learning for students. This resource compliments learning at school. Should there be issues with the link, students can also access the site through Student Sharepoint quick links.

https://learningplace.eq.edu.au/cx/resources/file/7c486586-67bd-4b3a-9bbc-010a499ce559/1/index.html 

Robotics Club

A huge shout out to our senior students who have been running the lunchtime Robotics activities. Attending students have loved dabbling with coding the Spheros, Ozobots and mBots. Coding Club students have been making their way through the Code.org Course D and Blockly activities. They have all been doing a sterling job! Clubs will resume next term.

Mrs Melissa Wilcox

wilcoxm@eq.edu.au

Here we are, Week 10 working again in an environment of uncertainty.  Our school sport world is rapidly making adjustments to avoid the total disappointment of 2020.  Changes are filing through quite quickly and we will update families once we receive the information.  As always if you have any questions relating to sport, please email me at jjard16@eq.edu.au and I will endeavour to answer them or find out the answers from the relevant group.  

Regional and District Sports

All trials scheduled for this week are in the process of being rescheduled, we will let you know once we are provided with the information. Practice and training for teams already selected have been cancelled this week.  Individual team managers will keep you updated on the team schedule.

School Cross Country

Sadly, our whole school cross country was scheduled for Thursday 1^st April, has now been cancelled due to our covid lockdown.  As indicated in the previous newsletter the wet weather backup plan for this event was to run trials for those students wishing to attempt to qualify for the District Cross Country during Week 1, next term – this plan will now be implemented to allow students to qualify.

District Sport Trials – Term 2

At this time there are still a number of City District Team Sports Trials scheduled for Term 2.  Depending on the sport, students born 2011, 2010 & 2009 may be able to trial for City District Teams and ultimately commence a Representative Pathway.  This is an optional extra-curricular activity for students. It involves costs to parents in terms of trial fees, most trials are during the day with transport the responsibility of the parents, however, trials will also remain ‘Spectator Free’ environments – parents will need to drop off prior to the trials and return and pick up at completion of trials. If students are selected in a City District Team there will be additional costs including, uniforms, team levies, possibly some travel to larger venues around the city. There will also be additional training sessions. Parents and Students need to be fully aware of the commitment that will be needed if they consider trialling.  

As a general guide, the student should be participating in club sport or tournaments of the particular sport for in excess of one year.  Forms will be distributed by the HPE teacher if they are eligible to participate in trials.  They will need to be completed by parents, signed off by the Principal and taken to the trial by the student, trial payments will need to be made via the City District School.

Shoponline all prior to the trial. School nominations will be submitted by the HPE teacher for those students who have been provided with forms. If your student does not wish to trial please, let me know ASAP after you have received forms and I will withdraw the school nomination.

For some sports a trial will be held at school to select those attending trials as our nomination numbers are limited. Students who have expressed an interest will be advised of trials when they arise, which will typically be during a lunch break or short period of class time. These trials will be supported by Education Queensland Staff who have experience in the nominated sports.  

Please remember this is an opportunity at REPRESENTATIVE SPORT not an opportunity to try something new. 

The upper school classes have all discussed with me the sports in which they participate outside of school and their interest in potentially participating in representative trials and their experience playing their sports, which helps in considering whether it is timely for them to be nominated or whether they should be waiting for another year.   

Some additional information about the District is available on the City District Sports Page connected to the Metropolitan North Website. Feel free to check in on this site.    https://metnorthschoolsport.eq.edu.au/district-sport/our-districts/city

Key Dates – this term

Track and Field Carnivals – end of Term 2 – dates to be confirmed early Term 2

New P & C Executives

At the P&C AGM held on Tuesday 23 March a new P & C Executive was voted in:

President – Renee Coyne

Vice President – Belinda Dow

Secretary – Sian Gillinder

Treasurer – Debbie Brauer 

A huge thank you to Jacqui Phillips, Bec O’Donnell, Ainslie Fiene and Patricia Cabrera for the tireless and incredible hard work in enabling the Tennis Court roof project and continuing the P & C, especially over the past difficult 12 months!

It is a very exciting time ahead for the P & C Committee and the school community with the progression of the roof project and being involved in upcoming events! Stay tuned!

Thrift Shop Trivia Night

Everyone had a fantastic Trivia night, with lots of outstanding costumes, fun and laughter! A huge thank you to everyone who attended; to sponsors for the great prizes and to our volunteers!  Without you all the night wouldn’t have been possible!

The Tuck Inn (our Tuckshop)

Are you looking to meet other parents and have some fun? Look no further, come volunteer at the Tuck Inn in Term 2! If you are interested in volunteering on a Wednesday or Friday (9am – 11.30 am) or being involved in an organised baking day to make our yummy homebakes, please send an email to Opsmanager@esspandc.com.au

Uniform Shop

A reminder that our Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday morning during school terms from 8.15am. Orders can also be placed via the QKR! App.

Containers for Change

Please help us fill up those Containers for Change bins at school (purple bins) with suitable containers for recycling.  To check if your containers are eligible, check the back of the container for the 10c symbol (lids must also be removed).  If you wish to visit the depot and deposit your own containers and contribute to the ESS scheme, our school scheme ID is C10051863.

If anybody has connections with any local businesses who would be happy to save their containers for us to cash in as part of our fundraising, please contact one of the P&C members with details.

Next P&C Meeting

Tuesday 27th April, 2021 @ 6:15pm

P&C Executives

President – Renee Coyne

Vice President – Belinda Dow

Secretary – Sian Gillinder

Treasurer – Debbie Brauer 

The idea of this workshop is to help kids build their confidence, resilience, and communication skills.   It does not teach kids to be aggressive or violent.  

There are no costs or strings to attend this workshop.

School Holidays - 13th April 3:00-5:30pm - click here to book

If you're looking for something for the kids to do over the holidays, come along to our Bully Defence Kids workshop.  

Your child (6yrs+) will learn:

* Fun, easy, and non aggressive self-defence

* How bullies pick their victims

* How to handle bullies

* How to build self-esteem and confidence

* Situational awareness

* Protective behaviours

* How to protect themselves against bullies, physically and mentally.

No uniforms or previous martial arts experience are required.   

For children from 6 yrs and up.

Book in now to reserve your place, numbers are limited - click here to book

If you are looking for a great activity for your Children during the school holidays, why not check out  the Scouts Queensland Holiday Outdoor Experience program!  Lots of outdoor activities are planned as part of the daily themes such as Survival, Pirates, camp cooking, Circus and more. Applications are open for all young people aged 5 to 13. Head to www.scoutsqld.com.au  to find out more. Any enquiries to holidayadventures@scoutsqld.com.au  or 0447 427 864. Transport is available from Auchenflower and Ashgrove. Meals are also available.